Agriculture is the backbone of Malawi’s economy, employing around 80% of the population and contributing about one-third to the country’s gross domestic product. Despite its importance, the agricultural sector faces several critical challenges, including high post-harvest losses, limited irrigation, and poor access to reliable electricity. These issues reduce productivity and income for farmers, particularly smallholders. A new study by IRENA and partners explores how decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions can transform the agricultural sector in Malawi and help achieve national development and energy goals.
The report highlights that only 11% of Malawi’s population had access to electricity as of 2021, with rural electrification as low as 4%. This has left most farmers dependent on manual labor and traditional practices, which restrict production and market access. Expanding the use of DRE technologies such as solar water pumps, solar-powered cold storage, and processing equipment can help address these energy gaps while improving productivity and resilience. For example, solar irrigation systems can boost yields by extending the growing season and improving water use efficiency.
The executive summary of the report points out that DRE solutions offer clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy that supports multiple agricultural activities. By integrating these technologies, farmers can enhance productivity, reduce losses, and improve food security. In addition to improving farming outcomes, DRE can create new income-generating opportunities, increase resilience to climate change, and contribute to national energy access goals. The study finds that improving energy services for agriculture through decentralized renewables can also strengthen rural economies and slow urban migration.
A key aspect of the report is the identification of barriers to scaling up DRE in Malawi’s agriculture. These include limited financing options, lack of awareness among farmers, high initial costs, and weak coordination among stakeholders. To overcome these challenges, the study suggests that national policies must actively promote renewable energy integration into agriculture. Strengthening public-private partnerships, supporting innovation, and offering financial tools such as subsidies, guarantees, and concessional loans can accelerate adoption. Local capacity building and technical training are also essential to ensure proper installation, operation, and maintenance of DRE technologies.
The conclusion of the report emphasizes that Malawi has an opportunity to align its agriculture and energy policies to achieve broader development goals. With agriculture identified as a priority area in the country’s National Energy Policy and other frameworks, the integration of DRE in farming practices is both timely and strategic. Cross-sector coordination between energy and agriculture stakeholders is vital to building a supportive ecosystem. The study also underlines the importance of inclusive planning that considers the specific needs of women and youth in the farming community, ensuring equitable access to energy technologies.
The report recommends that Malawi scale up pilot initiatives, develop national guidelines for DRE in agriculture, and adopt a long-term vision that integrates energy access with rural transformation. By doing so, the country can reduce its dependence on rain-fed agriculture, improve food processing, and access new markets. DRE-based agricultural development has the potential to unlock significant socio-economic benefits, including job creation, improved nutrition, and greater climate resilience. With the right investments and policy frameworks, decentralized renewable energy can help Malawi build a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural future.
